Organizing and storing devices, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to devices, systems, and methods for organizing and storing various components of a cleaning system. The present invention provides an organizing-and-storing system that may include a base having first and second sides. Pegs, handle holders, and a hook may extend from the first side of the base for storing and organizing the various components of the cleaning system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) tothe filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/942,530, as filedon Jun. 7, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to organizing and storing devices,systems, and methods and more particularly to devices, systems, andmethods for organizing and storing cleaning-tool heads and handles.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning implements typically comprise a handle and a tool head, such asa broom head or mop head. Some of these cleaning implements havereleasably attachable, and thus interchangeable, tool heads. Thisenables an operator to use a single handle for multiple cleaningoperations. For example, when presented with a particular cleaning task,the operator may select the tool head that is most suitable for the taskand connect the selected tool head to the handle. And later, whenpresented with a new task, the operator may remove the previouslyselected tool head and select a different, more appropriate tool headfor the new task. For example, a cleaning implement may be convertedfrom a broom to a mop by removing a broom head from the handle andattaching a mop head to the handle.

Because a single handle can be used to support multiple tool heads,these cleaning implements enable operators to reduce equipment costs bypurchasing only one handle and multiple tool heads, instead ofpurchasing traditional cleaning implements in which the handle ispermanently attached to the cleaning head. However, these multiple toolheads may create clutter and/or consume a large amount of storage space.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect the present invention, an apparatus is providedfor organizing and storing a cleaning system. The cleaning system mayinclude at least one handle and a plurality of cleaning heads, whereeach of the cleaning heads is configured to releasably attach to thehandle. The apparatus may include a base having first and second sides,a plurality of pegs extending from the first side of the base andconfigured to attach the cleaning head to the base, and at least onehandle holder connected to the first side of the base and configured toattach the handle to the base.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system isprovided for organizing and storing. The system may include a cleaninghandle, a cleaning head configured to releasably attach to the cleaninghandle, a base having first and second sides, a peg extending from thefirst side of the base, and a handle holder connected to the first sideof the base. The cleaning handle may be releasably attachable to thehandle holder and the cleaning head may be releasably attachable to thepeg.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention a method isprovided for storing and organizing a cleaning system. The cleaningsystem may include a cleaning head releasably attached to a handle. Themethod may include detaching the cleaning head from the handle,attaching the cleaning head to a peg extending from a first side of abase, and attaching the handle to a handle holder connected to the firstside of the base.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description thereof andappended claims in which references are made to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, referenceshould now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawingsand described below. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an organizing-and-storing systemfor organizing and storing a cleaning system, according to an embodimentof the present invention. The storage-and-organizing system of FIG. 1 isshown mounted to a wall, and organizing and storing a cleaning-tool headand a cleaning handle.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the organizing-and-storing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a cleaning system that can be organized andstored in the organizing-and-storing system of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an organizing-and-storing systemmounted to a wall and having an extension that provides additional pegs,according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an organizing-and-storing systemmounted to a wall and having repositionable pegs, according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, where therepositionable pegs are rotated ninety degrees.

DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as“upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,”“transverse” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown inthe Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction andthe terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing suchvariations unless specified otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatecorresponding or similar elements throughout, various embodiments of anorganizing-and-storing system according to the present invention areshown and generally designated at 10. The organizing-and-storing system10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 organizes and stores various componentsof a cleaning system 12, which is illustrated in FIG. 3. Theorganizing-and-storing system 10 includes a base 13 having first andsecond sides 14, 15. Pegs 16, handle holders 17, and a hook 18 extendfrom the first side 14 of the base 13 for organizing and storing thevarious components of the cleaning system 12.

With reference to FIG. 3, the cleaning system 12, which can be organizedand stored by the system 10, includes cleaning handles 20 a and 20 b andcleaning-tool heads 22 a through 22 e that removably attach to thecleaning handles 20 a and 20 b. In the illustrated embodiment, thecleaning system 12 includes two exemplary cleaning handles 20 a and 20b: a fixed handle 20 a and a telescoping handle 20 b. The illustratedcleaning system 12 also includes five exemplary cleaning-tool heads 22 athrough 22 e: an angle broom 22 a; a cone mop 22 b; a roller mop 22 c; adust mop 22 d; and a bathroom mop 22 e. It should be appreciated thatthe cleaning handle 20 a-b may be any type of cleaning handle known tothose having skill in the art, and the cleaning-tool head 22 a-e may beany type of cleaning-tool head known to those having ordinary skill inthe art.

The cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e are releasably attachable to the cleaninghandles 20 a-b. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, eachcleaning handle 20 a-b includes a hanging end 21 having a hanging slotor aperture 23 and a connecting end 24 having a connector 30, such asresilient boss or a retractable member, such as a spring loaded ball.Each cleaning-tool head 22 a-e includes a connector 26 having areceptacle 28 in the form of an open-ended annular tube for receivingthe connecting end 24 and a mating slot or aperture 32 for receiving theresilient boss or retractable member 30.

To connect the cleaning-tool head 22 a-e to the cleaning handle 20 a-b,an operator inserts the connecting end 24 of the handle into thereceptacle 28 of the tool head. The resilient boss or retractable member30 retracts or deforms when inserted into the receptacle 28. Afterinserting the connecting end 24 into the receptacle 28, the operatoraligns the resilient boss or retractable member 30 and the mating slot32, causing the resilient boss or retractable member 30 to expand andextend through the mating slot 32, and thereby secure the cleaning-toolhead 22 a-e to the cleaning handle 20 a-b. Accordingly, thecleaning-tool heads 22 a-e “snap” onto the cleaning handles 20 a-e.

To disconnect the cleaning-tool head 22 a-e from the cleaning-toolhandle 20 a-b, an operator depresses the resilient boss or retractablemember 30 and pulls the connecting end 24 of the handle out of thereceptacle 28 of the tool head. It should be appreciated that any meansknown in the art for releasably interconnecting the cleaning-tool heads22 a-e and the cleaning handles 20 a-b may be used.

The cleaning system 12 having releasably attachable, and thusinterchangeable, cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e enables an operator to use asingle cleaning handle 20 a-b for multiple cleaning operations. Forexample, when presented with a particular cleaning task, the operatormay select the cleaning-tool head 22 a-e that is most suitable for thetask and connect the selected cleaning-tool head 22 a-e to the cleaninghandle 20 a-b. When presented with a new task, the operator may removethe previously selected cleaning-tool head 22 a-e and select adifferent, more appropriate cleaning-tool head 22 a-e for the new task.

Because a single handle 20 a-b can be used to support multiplecleaning-tool heads 22 a-e, the cleaning system 12 requires less storagespace than traditional cleaning systems in which the handle ispermanently attached to the cleaning head. However, despite requiringless storage space than traditional cleaning systems, the cleaninghandles 20 a-b and cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e of the disclosed cleaningsystem 12 may be difficult to organize and may clutter storage spaces.

An operator can use the organizing-and-storing system 10 to organize andstore the cleaning handles 20 a-b and the cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e ofthe cleaning system 12. To do so, the operator can mount the base 13 toa vertical surface, such as a wall of a garage or closet or on the backof a door. This clears up floor and shelf space that may have otherwisebeen used for storing the cleaning system 12.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to mount the base 13 to a wall46, an operator inserts fasteners 38 through openings 40 and into thewall 46. The openings 40 are formed in upper and lower portions 54, 56of the base 13. For example, the base 13 illustrated in FIG. 1 includestwo openings 40 formed in left and right sides 50, 52 of the upperportion 54 of the base 13, and one opening (not shown) formed in thebottom portion 56 of the base 13. When mounted in this manner, thesecond side 15 of the base 13 is flush against the wall 46. Thefasteners 38 may be flathead screws or any other suitable fastener knowto those having ordinary skill in the art. Other mounting devices mayalso be used. For example, a mating bracket may be attached to thevertical surface and the base secured to the bracket. The base may alsobe secured to the vertical surface using adhesive such as releasableadhesive tape.

After mounting the base 13 to a vertical surface, an operator canorganize and store the cleaning system 12 on the organizing-and-storingsystem 10. For example, the cleaning handles 20 a-b are organized andstored on the handle holders 17, and the cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e areorganized and stored on the pegs 16. Either a cleaning handle 20 a-b ora cleaning-tool head 22 a-e can be organized and stored on the hook 18.The hooks 18 may also be used to told other accessories.

To store a cleaning-tool head 22 a-e on the organizing-and-storingsystem 10, an operator connects the connector 26 of the cleaning-toolhead 22 a-e to one of the pegs 16 by placing the receptacle 28 over thepeg 16 such that the peg 16 is slidably inserted into receptacle 28. Thepegs 16 are angled upward to prevent the cleaning-tool head 22 a-e fromsliding off of the peg 16.

To store a cleaning handle 20 a-b, the operator interconnects thehanging slot or aperture 23 of the cleaning handle 20 a-b and the handleholder 17 of the organizing-and-storing device 10 by placing the hangingslot 23 over the handle holder 17, as shown in FIG. 1, such that thehandle holder 17 is inserted into the slot or aperture 23. Accordingly,the cleaning handle 20 a-b hangs from the handle holder 17. A flange 48is formed on the handle holder 17 to prevent the cleaning handle 20 a-bfrom sliding off of the handle holder 17.

The hook 18 stores either the cleaning handles 20 a-b or thecleaning-tool heads 22 a-e. The hook 18 connects to and stores acleaning handle 20 a-b in a similar manner that the handle holder 17connects to and stores a cleaning handle 20 a-b. The hanging slot oraperture 23 of the cleaning handle 20 a-b is positioned over the hook 18such that the cleaning handle 20 a-b hangs from the hook 18. Thecleaning-tool head 22 a-e may be connected to the hook 18 by positioningthe mating slot 32 of the connector 26 over the hook 18 such that thehook 18 is inserted into the slot 32 and the cleaning-tool head 22 a-ehangs from the hook 18. It should also be appreciated that the hook 18may store the cleaning-tool head 20 a-e in a similar manner that thepegs 16 store the cleaning-tool head 20 a-e. That is, the receptacle 28of the connector 26 may be positioned over the hook 18.

The exemplary organizing-and-storing system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2 includes three pegs 16 for storing cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e, twohandle holders 17 for storing cleaning handles 20 a-b, and one hook 18for storing either a cleaning-tool head 22 a-e or a cleaning handle 20a-b. The arrangement of the pegs 16, handle holders 17, and hook 18organize the cleaning system 12 for convenient storing. The cleaninghandles 20 a-b hang from the handle holders 17, which are arranged onleft and right sides 50, 52 of an upper portion 54 of the base 13. Theslightly angled pegs 16 are vertically spaced apart from each other in amiddle portion 58 of the base 13, between the handle holders 17. As aresult the cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e are arranged such that they extendupward and outward from the middle portion 58 of the base 13 and thecleaning handles 20 a-b are arranged so as to hang on both sides of thestored cleaning-tool heads 22 a-e. The hook 18 is arranged on a bottomportion 56 of the base 13, and, as a result, the cleaning-tool head 22a-e or the cleaning handle 20 a-b stored thereon hangs downward from thebase 13.

It should be appreciated that any number of pegs 16, handle holders 17,and hooks 18 can be provided on the organizing-and-storing system 10.For example, as shown in FIG. 4, an extension 60 is connected to thebase 13 for providing the organizing-and-storing system 10 withadditional pegs 16.

A top portion 62 of the extension 60 is secured to the bottom portion 56of the base 13. For example, an opening (not shown) is formed in the topportion 62 of the extension 60, and, to connect the extension 60 to thebase 13, a fastener, such as a screw, extends through the opening of theextension 60 and the opening 40 of the bottom portion 56 of the base 13.The extension 60 may also be connected directly to the vertical surfaceusing fasteners that engage openings 40, as previously described. Anynumber of extensions 60 may be added to the organizing-and-storingsystem 10 to provide any number of pegs 16. Although not illustrated inFIG. 4, it should be appreciated that a hook 18 may be arranged on abottom portion 64 of the extension 60.

According to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handleholder 17 is a handle clasp 69 constructed from a resilient material,such as plastic. The handle clasp 69 includes a pair of curved fingers72 in facing relationship for clasping a stem 70 of the cleaning handle20 a-b. To connect the cleaning handle 20 a-b to the handle clasp 69, anoperator pushes the stem 70 against the handle clasp 69. This forcesapart the fingers 72. The operator continues pushing to slide the stem70 past outer edges 74 of the fingers 72 and into the clasp 69. Thefingers 72 then contract around the stem 70 to secure the cleaninghandle 20 a-b in place. A fastener 76, such as a flathead screw, securesthe handle clasps 69 to the base 13. Alternatively, the handle clasps 69may be connected to the base 13 using adhesive, or snap-fit or press-fitconnected, on these components may be formed of a single unitary piece.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment of theorganizing-and-storing system 10 is illustrated having apeg-repositioning system 80. The peg-repositioning system 80 includes apair of brackets 82 that extend substantially the entire length of themiddle portion 58 of the base 13. Each bracket 82 has an extension 84that overhangs the middle portion 58 of the base 13 so as to create achannel 86 between each of the overhanging extensions 84 and the middleportion 58. The pegs 16 are mounted on carriages 90 that slide in thechannels 86, along the length of the base 13 in directions indicated byarrows 94, 96. The channels 86 extend to the bottom end 56 of the base13 so that the carriages 90, having the pegs 16 deposed thereon, can beslid off of or onto the organizing-and-storing system 10.

The carriages 90 may be slightly arced such that the carriages 90 snuglyfit in channels 86. The slight arc spring loads the carriages 90 andthereby ensures that the carriages 90 maintain concurrent contact withthe extensions 84 and the first side 14 of the base 13. Friction forcesresulting from this snug fit stabilize the carriages 90 and preventunwanted sliding when a cleaning-head tool 22 a-e is stored on a peg 16.However, when sliding is desired, an operator may apply enough force toovercome the friction forces, or the operator may push the carriages 90inward, toward the first side 14 of the base 13 so as to eliminate thearc.

The peg-repositioning system 80, among other things, enables an operatorto slide the pegs 16 in directions 94, 96. The pegs 16 slide independentof each other, and the pegs 16 slide independent of the base 13. Thissliding can, for example, be utilized to adjust the distance between thepegs 16 for accommodating varying sizes and shapes of cleaning-toolheads 22 a-e. For example, a large cleaning-tool head 22 a-e, such asthe cone mop 22 b, may require more space than other cleaning-tool heads22 a-e. Accordingly, the peg 16 designated to store the cone mop 22 bmay be slid a distance away from other pegs 16 so as to create space forthe cone mop 22 b.

Depending on the storage space in which the organizing-and-storingsystem 10 is used, it may be desirable to horizontally mount the base13, as shown in FIG. 6. The peg-repositioning system 80 enables anoperator remove the pegs 16, rotate the pegs 16 ninety degrees relativeto the base 13, and reinstall the pegs 16 so that the pegs 16 point upwhen the base 13 is horizontally mounted.

Although the present invention has been shown and described inconsiderable detail with respect to only a few/particular exemplaryembodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the artthat it is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments sincevarious modifications, omissions and additions may be made to thedisclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of theforegoing teachings.

1. An apparatus for organizing and storing a cleaning system, thecleaning system having at least one handle and a plurality of cleaningheads, each of the cleaning heads is configured to releasably attach tothe handle, the apparatus comprising: a base having first and secondsides; a plurality of pegs extending from the first side of the base andconfigured to attach the cleaning head to the base; and at least onehandle holder connected to the first side of the base and configured toattach the handle to the base.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein aconnector having a receptacle for receiving one of the pegs is providedon an end of the cleaning head and the cleaning head is attached to thebase when the peg is inside of the receptacle.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, wherein each of the pegs is angled upward to prevent the cleaninghead from sliding off of the peg.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe handle holder is a hook and the handle hangs from the hook when thehandle is attached to the base.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehandle holder is a clasp and a stem of the handle is releasably securedin the clasp when the handle is attached to the base.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the pegs are repositionable.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, further comprising: a pair of brackets disposed on the base,each of the brackets having an extension that overhangs the base; achannel formed between each of the extensions and the base; at least acarriage secured between the brackets and repositionable along thechannel, wherein the each of the pegs is disposed on a carriage andrepositionable along the channel.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe channel extends to an end of the base and the carriage and the pegdisposed thereon can slide off of the end of base.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the carriage and the peg disposed thereon can slideonto the end of the base.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a hook outwardly extending from a bottom end of the base andconfigured to be attachable with the cleaning handle and the cleaninghead.
 11. A system for organizing and storing, the system comprising: acleaning handle; a cleaning head configured to releasably attach to thecleaning handle; a base having first and second sides; a peg extendingfrom the first side of the base; and a handle holder connected to thefirst side of the base, wherein the cleaning handle is releasablyattachable to the handle holder and the cleaning head is releasablyattachable to the peg.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein a connectorhaving a receptacle configured to receive the peg is provided on an endof the cleaning head and the cleaning head is attached to the base whenthe peg is inside of the receptacle.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the pegs is angled upward to prevent the cleaning head fromsliding off of the peg.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein thereceptacle is configured to receive a connecting end of cleaning handle.15. The system of claim 14, wherein a resilient boss is located on theconnecting end of the cleaning handle and the resilient boss snaps intoa mating slot of the connector of the cleaning head to releasably securethe cleaning head to the cleaning handle.
 16. The system of claim 11,further comprising: a pair of brackets disposed on the base, each of thebrackets having an extension that overhangs the base; a channel formedbetween each of the extensions and the base; a carriage secured betweenthe brackets, the carriage is repositionable along the channel, whereinthe peg is disposed on the carriage such that the peg is repositionablealong the channel.
 17. A method for organizing and storing a cleaningsystem, the cleaning system having a cleaning head releasably attachedto a handle, the method comprising: detaching the cleaning head from thehandle; attaching the cleaning head to a peg extending from a first sideof a base; and attaching the handle to a handle holder connected to thefirst side of the base.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step ofdetaching the cleaning head from the handle comprises: depressing aresilient boss located an end of the handle; and pulling the end of thehandle out of a receptacle formed in a connector of the cleaning head.19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of attaching the cleaninghead to the peg comprises placing the receptacle of the cleaning headaround the peg.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step ofattaching the cleaning head to the peg further comprises aligning aresilient boss located on the peg with a mating slot formed in theconnector of the cleaning head such that the connector snaps onto thepeg.